NYU Grossman School of Medicine offers elective courses in 24 different clinical areas. You complete courses in designated two- or four-week elective blocks in stage three and stage four of the MD curriculum. Learn more about when electives take place and the elective lottery process.

Students matriculated at our school can access the SOLARIS (Kerberos ID and password required for login) to participate in elective lotteries and manage their schedules. Enrolling in electives is slightly different for visiting students.

We also provide information about the process of completing and receiving credit for “away” electives at other U.S. medical schools or teaching hospitals for NYU Grossman School of Medicine students.

Other Options for Earning Elective Credits

You can also earn elective credits in custom areas by completing an individual preceptorship or elective. To do this, you need guidance from a faculty mentor and approval from the senior associate dean for medical education.

To explore these options, complete the appropriate application (preceptorship, research elective, service learning elective) and submit it to the Registrar’s Office as indicated on the form.

Elective Course Topics

Browse elective course information, expectations, and prerequisites by topic

Anesthesiology
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine
Forensic Medicine
Gross Anatomy
Interdepartmental Electives
Medicine
Neurology
Neurosurgery
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic Surgery
Otolaryngology
Pathology
Pediatrics
Plastic Surgery
Psychiatry
Radiology
Radiation Oncology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Surgery
Urology

Elective Course Dates

During the elective lottery, you rank the available elective date blocks based on personal preference. After the lottery closes, you have up until 60 days before the elective start date to drop, add, or modify your elective assignments.

Four-Week Elective Blocks 2023–24

Two-Week Elective Blocks 2023–24